Lobster fishermen on Prince Edward Island were facing a sea of uncertainty as they readied to start their spring season.
With the opening delayed until May 15 for lobster fishing areas (LFAs) 23, 24 and 26 due to a multitude of issues and concerns that have washed ashore for the seafood industry due to COVID-19, it’s “a big picture of variables” going into the season, said Ian MacPherson executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA).
The two-week delay in the opening accounts for 25 per cent of the season for the fishers in those areas, said MacPherson. “That translates into lost revenues,” he said. “It will have a significant impact.”
The delay also caused the loss of the Mother’s Day market for P.E.I. lobster fishers for the first time in years.
Leading up to the season, there’s been lots of discussion, said MacPherson.
“The processing, buying and harvesting sectors are really trying to come up with workable solutions here,” he said. “It’s getting down to the wire, but there’s still lots of dialogue going on.”
MacPherson said there is “a lot of uncertainty” going into the season over price and demand. “I think everybody understands this is an exceptional year. Not any of our members that I’ve talked to expect it to be a normal season.”
The need for a pre-season price and an open and honest dialogue on what restrictions may be in place for quantities of product being landed are two of the issues front and centre.
“Talk about it up front so people can make business decisions. Let’s talk about support programs if it doesn’t turn out to be a good season for people. We’ve been trying to deal with all these different things,” said MacPherson.
Two support and stabilization proposals for the harvesting sector for the 2020 spring lobster season were drafted by PEIFA, together with other gulf area fishing organizations and industry consultants in April. Proposal one is for a spring lobster fishing season that proceeds. Proposal two would provide support if the spring lobster season does not proceed in some areas.
“These programs are required due to the COVID-19 virus and the uncertainty it has caused in traditional seafood markets around the world,” reads a notice on the PEIFA website.
“PEIFA, Maritime Fishermen’s Union, Gulf Nova Scotia Fleeting Planning Board and the Gaspe Fishermen’s Association have been in direct contact with senior DFO personnel and Minister Jordan on these requests. In addition, PEIFA is represented on the Canadian Independent Fish Harvester Federation working group that has also been struck to discuss support for fisheries across Canada.”
With the announcement of the $62.5-million Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund on April 25 for the fish and seafood processing sector, MacPherson was hopeful a support program for the harvesting sector was also forthcoming.
“There’s been a lot of dialogue” with both the federal and provincial governments, and industry stakeholders throughout the Maritimes, said MacPherson. “All three provinces are dependant on the export market for our seafood… it’s an intertwined issue for sure and not just about lobster” noting other sectors of the shellfish industry are experiencing many of the same challenges and stresses.
PEIFA sought input from its membership in early April on the spring season by way of a survey. Completed by 775 harvesters from LFA 24 and 26A out of a total of 954 (81.2 per cent), the majority of respondents thought the spring season should proceed but be delayed. In a subsequent vote, the majority of respondents in LFA 24 were in favour of a May 6 opening. In LFA 26A, 48.8 per cent of members voted for a May 6 opening, with 51.2 per cent in favour of a May 13 season start.
In the letter advising DFO of the vote, MacPherson said the two LFAs reserved the right to request a season extension. “As in any other year, that extension may or may not take place but there will be discussion around that,” he said.
The season closes on June 30 for LFAs 23, 24 and 26.
